News from Belvedere and Washington, DC

On Sunday, Dec. 31, 1972, the 5:00 AM pledge service was held at Belvedere. That was the last day of 1972, and at the same time the last Sunday of the year. All key members of our Master’s party stayed at Belvedere all day in meditation and prayerful thought on the passing away of the year 1972, which was quite rough and thornful for our movement in the United States.

On January 1, 1973 at midnight our Master and Mother, Mrs. [Won Pok] Choi, and other members welcomed the New Year in his Photo date and location unknown living room with the Blessed Couples where colorful dishes were set up for the God’s Day Table. Our Master gave his first message for the New Year and for God’s Day to nearly 70 members from Belvedere and New York City. Three nations were represented — Korea, Japan, and USA Refreshments from our Master’s table were shared with all of us.

After a few hours’ nap, all members attended a New Year’s Ceremony and then enjoyed the privilege of being closely with our Master on the hill just south of the main building, on which is located Master’s Rock. Our Master was very full of joy and happy when all of us were assembled around him on the Rock. Many pictures were taken.

Then he asked us to play games after the long period of camera shooting. First was tug-of-war by hands, with two groups of people lined up, trying to pull each other across a line on the ground. It was beautiful to see everyone working hard to try to pull each other to the sides. Big smiles of joy were seen on all the faces. The second game was an oriental game of hand-wrestling. Our Master called this day “Day of Dedication of Belvedere to our Heavenly Father.”

At 7:00 PM the formal celebration of God’s Day took place in Master’s living room. After the celebration, our Master went downstairs to the living room and delivered the second God’s Day message, carrying the same theme as last year, “Let us Safeguard the Unified Front,” and gave us a serious message. Especially in his talk and in prayer, Master prayed for the 10 commanders of OWC Mobile Units, expecting definite victory and success of each of the units in the battlefield.

On January 4, 1973, our Master instructed David Kim to see Dr. Arthur Shaw, who is developing “Unified Economy” on an international level. He has completed his new concept and model, and plans to publish a book entitled “World Pollution Reduction.” His three research papers were brought to our Master’s attention.

Our Master spent much of his time remodeling several buildings for 120 European family in the Belvedere compound preparing plans, purchasing furniture and bedding, and so forth.

On January 7, Master, President [Young Hwi] Kim, David Kim, and nine other Family members participated in purification of all buildings, inside and out. Then our Master performed a very significant

ceremony of the establishment of Holy Ground within Belvedere Gardens, centered on Master’s Rock.

After the two ceremonies were performed in all buildings on the premises and the establishment of Holy Ground, then officially, our Master dedicated Belvedere Estate to Our Heavenly Father at 10:30 AM on this day.

Our Master’s party left Belvedere for Washington, DC that afternoon and arrived in the evening. On January 9, Master and his party visited Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, in the opening session since the November elections. It was the day of President Nixon’s 60th birthday, which is very coincidental, and the House of Representatives resolved to send congratulations to President Nixon. Also, Master and his party visited Arlington National Cemetery and the burial ground of former President John F. Kennedy.

On January 11th Master and his party visited Upper Marlboro Church Center and the Candle Factory. Master paid $20.00 for several candles for his part, and then returned to Belvedere Estate.

On January 15th, our 100 European trainees and nine blessed members arrived at J. F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, at 5:30 PM. There was some difficulty with visas and a two-hour delay because of customs inspections.

Holland Family was unable to come at this time. On Jan. 20, one more trainee arrived from Italy, making a total of 110 altogether. The two buses of mobile units #1 and # 2 and a few vans transported the European members from the airport to Belvedere, where a welcome party was held. At the same time as the European training session is being held, five Latin American missionaries from San Francisco are receiving training before their departure for Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, and Argentina.

On January 16 the official training session for the European family began at the garage building, where temporary facilities had been installed. Men were staying at two other buildings, women in the upstairs of the garage above the lecture hall. The training session will last at least 10 days, then the members will be sent out to the field to work with American brothers and sisters. Approximately 1/3 of the trainees do not speak English very well, and will need to learn more English.

Our Master and Mother’s birthday this year falls on February 8th, and we plan to celebrate their birthday in San Francisco.